tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53710652011-04-21T20:10:00.311ZZena in the Sky? Or the Sky of Zena's?Zenanoreply@blogger.comBlogger2061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-72818250395980133802007-06-01T11:11:00.000Z2007-06-01T11:14:39.896Z

A+EI have just had 10 days off on ‘zero hours’ or annual leave. It was bliss, not having planned anything, not having to do anything. Usually, if I had more than a week off, I would have planned way in advance to go away, to go somewhere and get out of London, my house. But I guess, with this year and all that has been happening, I am really tired, mentally. I have been working hard, at doing

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1175803354373703322007-04-05T18:41:00.000Z2007-05-02T17:20:28.791Z

Seems like I haven't written for ages! And it feels like that too! Every time I want to note an entry down, something always crops up though, and I put it off till later on, every single time. Procrastination is the bane of my life. =P Now, before I head out for Easter celebrations, I thought I might as well jot something down then. Lots of changes have happened. Now I have changed rotation yet

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1168207175172756972007-01-07T21:57:00.000Z2007-01-07T21:59:35.186Z

The Longer you are away from home, the less frequently you miss home. However, when you do miss home, the feeling never lessens. In fact, the feeling of missing so great that at times, you wonder why you are here and why you aren't at home. Then, you wonder: where exactly is your home, now, at this present moment in time. You pause. And you say. Home will always be home. Home is where the heart

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1167785745490209862007-01-02T23:53:00.000Z2007-01-03T01:20:07.003Z

It's been a very long time since I've updated, yeah? The inertia is too great most of the time, even though I feel like updating every single time. Call it inertia, or laziness, or ambivalence. Anyway, thought I'd better do it now, before everything becomes a haze in this fuzzy memory of mine! :+: Taster Week We have this thing in the Foundation Programme, where we are supposed to do a week in

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1163970209498172872006-11-19T21:01:00.000Z2006-11-19T21:03:29.520Z

A blast from the past... :+: 5 September 2006I just spoke to Mupps today, after a long time of not talking. He has been having exams, taking the Part 1s, and just finished today – yippee for him!Every time I talk to him, I find myself being motivated and uplifted, in every sense of the word. I feel encouraged by him. Difficult choices that he has to make, he made it, and didn’t regret a minute

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1163966671786807552006-11-19T20:00:00.000Z2006-11-19T20:11:00.580Z

Basic Surgical SkillsI recently attended a course on Basic Surgical Skills on 15-17 November 2006, organised at Kingston Hospital. Before the course itself, the postgraduate centre sent us a pack, containing the participant handbook, as well the DVD to read and watch, before the course.However, nothing can prepare for you the course itself. With a timetable set out for the 3 days of the course,

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1162756201212509662006-11-05T19:47:00.000Z2006-11-19T19:59:17.266Z

Today is Guy Fawkes Day. Lots of Fireworks. Back in London And so, it has been decreed - I am back in London to work. Well, I'm actually on the border or London and Surrey now, and so they are more or less interchangeable. Sorry I haven't been able topost for a while. Have had a lot going on for the past few months actually, which I will try to go into in detail, bit by bit. :+: Work I have

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1152647957914153802006-07-11T19:53:00.000Z2006-07-11T19:59:17.926Z

Have to quickly type this before I log off. Know I haven't updated in ages - will have to at some point. Been busy, not as much as Medicine and Surgery in work, but still just as busy on settling other issues. My internet in the room hasn't been working for a week or so. - most important, I've finally found a place to live for next year, come August when I start my new job!Things to write about

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1146702614551843272006-05-03T23:25:00.000Z2006-05-04T00:30:14.653Z

Okay, this has been delayed much too long. When was the last time I wrote anything in here? Hmm... weeks... Anyway, while it is 12.30am on an early thursday morning, and while I'm listening to Underworld's 'Born Slippy', and yawning myself to tears, I've decided to bite the bullet and kick my butt out of inertia to write something in here. Considering I type faster than I think, this should be a

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1145748959625523302006-04-22T23:30:00.000Z2006-04-22T23:37:09.276Z

I haven't been writing in a while. Past 3 weeks. Been trying to settle several things at once. Exams, air tickets, accommodation, getting used to the new wards. Hibernation phase, really. Lots to tell. Just thought I'd pop this here before I forget, and before I go back to studying. Paediatrics - loving it, but...Incident 1: concerning the F2Incident 2: Concerning the new SG/RegBowling enmass...

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1144178949654313922006-04-04T18:52:00.000Z2006-04-04T19:29:09.670Z

Gone is Medicine.... Here is Paediatrics Yup. I've officially finished Medicine. And I've started Paediatrics. It's a whole different ballgame altogether. I just did the weekend on MAU. That was my last 2 days on Medicine. And it was just wonderful. That last Friday, instead of teaching, we had handover, and so I handed over some of the ward patients to the next incoming HO. But before that, AT

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1143489090229715052006-03-27T18:15:00.000Z2006-03-27T19:51:30.293Z

Long Rant Before I start, let me jsut say that I am back to normal, and have been for the past week. Warning: This is a post about ranting. Think I've been away from London and my friends for too long. I feel the inertia. t's great to be doing nothing, and yet I know that there's things to be done. People have gotten their postings today. At least those from GKT. They know where they are going

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1142462734564167462006-03-15T22:15:00.000Z2006-03-15T22:45:34.580Z

A continuation of the sick saga This is truely the one time that I've been as sick as I possibly can be. It started on last Friday, with a high fever (fried a few brain cells there...), chills and cold sweats, and myalgia. Thinking it's just one of those times where I have a high fever once every 1-2 years (and after a long long sleep and good nutritious food, I'll be fine), I just followed

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1142285120679189612006-03-13T21:23:00.000Z2006-03-13T21:28:29.856Z

I'm a Mandarin!You're an intellectual, and you've worked hard to get where you are now. You're a strong believer in education, and you think many of the world's problems could be solved if people were more informed and more rational. You have no tolerance for sloppy or lazy thinking. It frustrates you when people who are ignorant or dishonest rise to positions of power. You believe that people

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1142089344138720922006-03-11T13:37:00.000Z2006-03-11T16:46:39.843Z

Sick as a dog... Actually that is not quite true. My dog is nice and healthy. but I am sick. Well, I wasn't for a long time, with the occasional cough/sniffle. Last night, after coming back from F1 teaching, I started feeling not too well. My body started aching, and I felt lethergic. Not good, especially when i was intending to go to the gym yesterday evening. And so, I just lounged around my

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1140377742260548372006-02-19T19:33:00.000Z2006-02-19T19:35:42.276Z

A story When I was on-call on Wednesday for the elderly wards, I was called by one of the elderly teams to help them out with some of the day jobs, as they were still on their ward round (this was at around 5.30pm). As I was not doing anything that day, I went to help them out.And there, the house officer asked me to review 2 of his patients, as he did not know what to do with them. The first

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1139751608469435032006-02-12T10:10:00.000Z2006-02-12T13:40:08.506Z

Weekend enjoyment It's now raining here, believe it or not. Then again, why should I be surprised? It rains here, whether rain or shine or snow, dark or light, cold or warm. Anyhow, this is one of the few times which I actually had the time to wake up late in the weekend, not having to wake up with the help of an alarm. Didn't realise how much domestic chores one actually has when you think

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1139532360724369762006-02-09T23:34:00.000Z2006-02-10T00:56:06.410Z

Cardiac bleep For once since the time I've had the cardiac bleep (and I've had it for about 6 times in the 2+ months I've been in medicine), yesterday was the only time which the cardiac bleep didn't go off at all. For any arrest or medical emergency. Nothing. On average, there would be about 2 arrest calls (cardiac/peri-/respiratory) and 2 medical emergencies (people feel faint in the corridor/

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1139301824185176902006-02-07T08:16:00.000Z2006-02-07T08:43:44.196Z

This is an article which gave me quite a laugh when I read it. It's from Frontline Medicine, the issue of BMA News, 21 January 2006, and was written by Charles Lamb, an ER doc. The words in brackets are the thought which went through my head when I was reading the article. The good news if you are an SHO in emergency medicine is that your time is up and, in one week's time, it will be a distant,

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1139015327498092742006-02-04T00:07:00.000Z2006-02-04T01:08:47.513Z

Annoyance/IrritationThere are different types of being annoyed/irritated (I liken both to being quite similar, in my world). I'm annoyed/irritated ...... when my bleep goes off non-stop, especially when I'm trying to do a difficult cannulation/venepuncture. ... when you try toi answer your bleeps immediately after you get bleeped, only to find that the line is engaged, even after you try it 10

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1138673111766569802006-01-31T01:13:00.000Z2006-01-31T15:54:15.210Z

It's 1+am, and I'm listening to Mozart's Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor. God, how I miss my piano.... I remember tinkering on the piano when I was back. It was just after dinner. Ernie sat at my feet, either falling asleep or just accompanying me, and just letting the fingers run and memories rushing back... such a gd feeling. But anyhow... :+: Cirque de Soleil - Alegria, Royal Albert Hall Now,

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1137574207621371862006-01-18T08:37:00.000Z2006-01-18T08:50:07.636Z

Blogging before work Yep, for the first time while WAITING to go to work, I've decided to blog. Actually, this is after, watching 2 episodes of Season 2 of Sex and the City. I wanted to type out an entry last night, but my computer kept on playing up, meaning even though I started it up, it will automatically shut off by itself. Clever, huh? Now, it's day 5 post-flight back. The first day back

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1137381771353331812006-01-16T01:58:00.000Z2006-01-16T03:22:51.396Z

2 weeks at home I'm now back in Kent, after having spent 2 tremendously enjoyable weeks back home. The departure was pretty rushed though. I was on-call on Wednesday, and therefore post-call Thursday. Thank goodness it wasn't my consultant's patients (they take turns) that day, and so I helped out with the changes, I wasn't the one taking care of them, per se. I finished early, and so I trumped

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1135624388146419642005-12-26T19:07:00.000Z2005-12-27T12:41:54.030Z

SNOWEDWhen I woke up today, in my own bed in Kent and looked out of my window, the whole area of grass and rooftops and roads were covered in thick snow! Now listening to Kelly Clarkson's debut CD, while sitting at my computer, having breakfast and checking emails, it started snowing again. Floating snowflakes just outside my window. I'm glad I'm not outside, but on the inside, watching the

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1134181345808340482005-12-10T02:21:00.000Z2005-12-26T19:07:33.190Z

First week of Medicine This week hasn't been too bad. It took a little adjusting to, especially the ward rounds being long, lasting for 2-3 hours, not finishing by 11am. (I don't get to have breakfast!, which we usually do in Surgery!) Ward rounds supposedly start at 9am. But my Reg comes at 9.30+... And so, I end up doing other things, such as bloods first. I've managed to femoral-stab an IVDU

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1133658765902551132005-12-04T00:28:00.000Z2005-12-04T01:12:45.916Z

Surgical Rotation I can't believe it's the end of the 4 months. I have officially finished my Surgical Rotation, and am due to start my Medicine Rotation on Monday. I don't want to leave my team. I don't want to leave the surgical wards. I don't want to leave the nurses and the fun we have. You know that we have actually made an impact when the nurses want us to sit at their table in the xmas

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1133114875536828072005-11-27T17:47:00.000Z2005-11-27T18:07:55.550Z

This is just absolutely mad. I'm fuming mad, and very very annoyed. My wallet has just been nicked. I went to Sainsbury's to buy some food. En route to going home, I dropped in to Priceless Shoes, Peacocks and Shoefayre to take a look at the boots, not intending to buy, but just window-shop. Just after I stepped out of the Shoefayre and was heading to Primemark, I stretched my left hand back to

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1133050638646393202005-11-27T00:08:00.000Z2005-11-27T00:43:07.653Z

You're a Romantic KisserFor you, kissing is all about feeling the romanceYou love to kiss under the stars or by the seaThe perfect kiss involves the perfect moodIt's pretty common for kisses to sweep you off your feetWhat'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofkisserareyouquiz/">What Kind of Kisser Are You?:+:Your Seduction Style: Au NaturalYou rank up there with your seduction skills, though you

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1132940954230646312005-11-25T17:21:00.000Z2005-11-25T17:49:14.243Z

I hate it when i lose patients. I discharged him after a lap parastomal hernia repair post op day 5. He came in to A+E on post op Day 6, having had arrested at home, after a one day history of profuse vomiting. He's young. 40+. No cardiac factors. Had Addison's. Especially when i don't know what more I could have done. Maybe I should have checked his bloods that afternoon, the day we discharged

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1132793877511053482005-11-24T00:57:00.000Z2005-11-24T00:59:01.536Z

Your Personality IsArtisan (SP)You are both grounded and flexible. You adapt well to new situations. You are playful and free spirited - but you are also dependable and never flaky.You don't do well in conservative, stuffy situations.It's probably very hard for you to keep a normal job or stay in school.You are always up for fun and adventure. Most people are too boring for you.You take risks and

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1132531798598188412005-11-20T23:14:00.000Z2005-11-21T00:09:58.626Z

Finally... a weekend off... Listening to JJ's songs from his 3 Chinese albums right now. It's not bad, considering I've been deprived of Chinese music for a while. That's not to say that I regularly listen to it, but it's good to keep in touch with it once in a while, and enjoy the language, other than facing English day in day out. I kind of miss the versatility of blending in various

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1131840061685618872005-11-12T23:29:00.000Z2005-11-13T00:01:01.703Z

10 Things I learnt being on-call 10 Things I learnt being on weekend on-call today: 1) Weekend hand-overs are no use if there are no clear instructions, eg. posterior compartment syndrome (????) 2) When you're left by yourself to do a ward round on all the surgical patients, while your Reg and SHO goes off to theatre for a perf DU (which you actually diagnosed, and wanted to go to theatre

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1130110458273893862005-10-23T23:05:00.000Z2005-10-23T23:34:18.283Z

Leeds Castle, Sheerness and this week Now, I haven't been to Leeds Castle before, but when I went there yesterday. It was gi-normous! From the inside, you don't think it looks big, but when you step into the castle itself, we only see a few rooms, but there apparently are so many more rooms! We saw the staff preparing a wedding banquet in one of the rooms. It must cost a bomb to rent a room or

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1130108175567547912005-10-18T22:47:00.000Z2005-10-23T23:03:20.990Z

This is my new favourite song. Well, at least it is one of those which pulls at my heart-strings, and I liked it so much that I figured out the guitar strumming for the song. Now I can play the whole piece! (a little slow still though...) Dedicated to those who have lost loved ones... :+: Summer has come and passedThe innocent can never lastWake me up when September endsLike my father's come to

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1129594586717561712005-10-17T21:09:00.000Z2005-10-23T22:45:10.463Z

Working.... ... is a blast. I love working. Not to say that I am mad. I usually am, but this takes the icing on the cake. The patients are lovely. Well, most are. My team is a godsend, a team which only happens in miracles. Something you cannot complain about - extremely supportive, lets me do lots of procedures, very encouraging, lets me know if there's anything which I need to do/did wrongly.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1127519635911676492005-09-23T23:52:00.000Z2005-10-16T11:40:35.466Z

I really really need a break. Working non-stop takes a toll on your body, your health. I have lost 7 kg in roughly 2 months of work. I need to recuperate. Going to East Europe. Be back in a fortnight. With more to write, hopefully. Too many thoughts jumbled up at the moment.:+:

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1126720089318196652005-09-14T17:45:00.000Z2005-09-14T17:48:09.323Z

Been really busy. Didn't realise that there was so much to be done, so much to do. But it's good to be working, and I'm enjoying it loads. Surprises, not-so-good stuff, I'm flying off again to somewhere else.... I'll type all about it soon... when I actually get the TIME to do so. Right now, I barely have time to have lunch or dinner, esp when on call. Think I'll shrivel at the end of this month.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1125335254924557142005-08-29T17:06:00.000Z2005-08-29T17:07:34.933Z

Strolling happily along the corridor, the doctor wanted to say bye to this particular patient. She's a 29 year old lady who just had an anterior resection 6 days ago for rectal cancer.Stepping into the ward reception area, “Doctor, I think you better see your patient NOW. She’s had chest pain and abdo pain NOW.”In the doctor’s mind, she was thinking “Shit… don’t tell me she has a PE (pulmonary

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1125137086273297812005-08-27T10:04:00.000Z2005-08-27T15:19:24.676Z

This is what my medical specialty is 'supposed' to be.... Hilarious! =p The medical specialty for you is.... Ophthalmology Ophthalmology is the best of all specialties. As an ophthalmologist, you will be unable to spell the name of the field you went into. You will loudly assert the difference between your field and optometry, but eventually, you will be making too much money to care. To find out

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1123976884124552482005-08-13T23:37:00.000Z2005-10-17T21:08:34.873Z

The second week of workThe second week of work hasn't been bad at all. Maybe that because the number of patients I've had is a single digit. My consultant is away and won't be back till Tuesday next week. It's been a quiet week to say the least. Which is good for me as it gives me time to find out about stuff and ease into the rumblings of working life. Next week would be a different story. Or so

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1123376796693296442005-08-07T00:02:00.000Z2005-08-07T01:06:36.700Z

First week of work The first week of work wasn't too bad. Half of it was filled with induction. Where we got to know people who are in the PRHO year. There are 24 of us PRHOs. 7 of us are from george's. The rest are from GKT. It's really nice to get out of george's and mix around. At the same time, I miss George's. =) Anyway, Medway is good, and getting better. There's a social club on site, and

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1122941448764611952005-08-01T23:47:00.000Z2005-08-02T00:12:02.653Z

Just a short note here. I've been to Kent and back to London (for hospital induction), commuting for the past 2 days. It's tiring. But I think I might just like Medway. Medway Maritime Hospital is nice, the inside, that is. And the people working there seems nice. The area is pretty rough though - made up of loads of 'chavs' - white female/male kind-a hoodlums who live in council estates but wear

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1122773056912786752005-07-31T01:21:00.000Z2005-07-31T01:24:16.916Z

Mei, I've just got the stuff from JTI, and I've read your letter. As well as your new entries on the OD, and as usual, entries from you never fail to make me smile and giggle. =P I promise I will write snail mail soon.... As soon as I get settled and haven't been killed by on-call yet. =P Lub you loads... EJ p.s. Tagboard doesn't seem to be working, so putting this here for the time being. I will

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1122508220313776322005-07-27T23:48:00.000Z2005-07-27T23:50:20.316Z

I've written something which cuts deep, and a heartfelt song/poemAs with murphy's law, the computer ate up my entry. As such, I'm too mentally drained to repeat all that I've said. This is for another day.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1120871264787014422005-07-09T01:02:00.000Z2005-08-27T15:09:41.886Z

Life's like a penis:When it's soft you can't beat it;When it's hard you get screwed.- The fat Man, Medical Resident in the House of God

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1119133618732711302005-07-03T22:05:00.000Z2005-07-03T19:23:11.836Z

The Aftermath... *(edited and con't)...As far as partying goes, it was a long time coming.Been out for dinner with John Ong and Mikey and Clarence for dinner, the day we received our results. They were the first ones who congratulated me, John, having waited there for an hour for me to show up to look at the results. =) But anyway, this has to be delayed. Coz my sister is calling me to watch DVDs

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1118653080133922782005-06-13T00:39:00.000Z2005-06-13T08:58:00.186Z

Now that I've flown down to earth again, and have been lazing my ass off the past few days, I decided to jot down whatever from one of the more traumatic periods of my life - the clinical finals, before I forget.It's not that the exams were a breeze. Oh, I admit, it was tough. But it was do-able. It doesn't help with ar-sey examiners, but I survived that, somewhat sizzled but largely unscathed.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1118425038008715542005-06-10T17:31:00.000Z2005-06-10T17:37:18.013Z

Finally... It's been a while since I've actually written a proper entry here. I'm sure you would have guessed, I've been busy. Supposedly studying, but at times, it seems that I'm just wasting time. Don't know where all the time went to.Finally. It's all over. The hellish period of the clinical finals. It may not be a big deal to some. It may be to others. It's the period which people have been

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1118251206582321202005-06-08T17:13:00.000Z2005-06-08T17:20:06.586Z

I think I just screwed up Section B. Aka, i think I've failed. Shit. O&G was really gd. Think I nailed it. Paeds and Psych was bad, disastrous. Damn. Friday will be a day of reckoning. No mood now. I'll wallow in self-pity for the time being.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1118168576885145402005-06-07T18:18:00.000Z2005-06-08T07:23:12.343Z

I can't believe I'm going to say this but... one day down. 2 more to go. And you know what? I actually enjoyed my Section A (aka Medicine and Surgery), although I got 2 of George's finickty and supposedly picky examiners. Yeah.. I can't believe it. I actually enjoyed the exam and the patients. =) But that is not to say I passed, or anything like that. But I'm hoping for it.... More later. 2 more

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1117961851670742892005-06-05T08:39:00.000Z2005-06-05T08:57:32.643Z

I just had another dream, this time with Fu in the picture. What's with these people? Get out of my head, people. Can't you give someone a good night's rest without interruption? *Shoo-s the dreams away* Now if the dream is about me having a kick-ass finals, I don't mind. =P :+: I've just tried on my suit this morning. Yes, we have to wear suits for our clinical finals. Why in the world do we

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1117812490862641892005-06-03T15:23:00.000Z2005-06-03T15:28:10.866Z

I had a dream last night. About JTI. Weird, it was. Must be my brain running into stress/overactive mode. 3 days to go. *I shan't curse/swear* Hmph.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1117529198452440242005-05-31T08:22:00.000Z2005-05-31T08:46:38.483Z

Been in hibernation. 5 days to Doomsday. At this point, how I wish I could say 'if only the exams are tomorrow, I'll take it and get it over with'. But I can't. I'm not prepared. Not yet anyway. Gah!!! More after my finals. That is, if I don't herniate myself into oblivion in the meantime.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1116668570558873772005-05-21T09:28:00.000Z2005-05-21T09:42:50.566Z

After revision... After this week's revision sessions (5-10pm), organised by the final year reps of my school, I've come to realise a couple of things... 1. How 'prepared' I am for the finals. 2. How much I don't know. 3. How much I thought I didn't know, but actually knew (it was somewhere inside my head, and all I needed to do was either dig it out or give it a kickstart)4. How 'kiasu' people

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1116196474736120802005-05-15T21:58:00.000Z2005-05-15T22:34:34.743Z

Reactions... Today, the 'housemate from hell' has moved out. Totally. (she was given notice just slightly less thatn 2 weeks ago. The notice gives her 5 more days, till 21 May, but it's good that she's moved out early.) Now, at least, we'll have a quieter house. Cleaner too! (but that's becoz I just cleaned the kitchen and living room...) You know the 'presents' she left behind though? Rotten

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1115757484158813162005-05-10T19:34:00.000Z2005-05-10T20:38:04.223Z

Long time no entry. So now, a short entry. Supposedly.FINALSThe countdown begins. It's 28... no... 26 days to finals. Less that 4 weeks now before the BIG exams. Lots of people have told me that these exams are meant to make you pass, so therefore, no need to worry.On the other hand, I've heard horrendous stories about how the best have failed. How the worst (those who have failed/barely passed

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114959597414262132005-05-01T14:58:00.000Z2005-05-01T15:03:00.370Z

Your Birthdate: January 31Your birthday suggests that you are a good organizer and manager, an energetic and dependable worker; attributes often showing success in the business world.Serious and sincere, you have the patience and determination necessary to accomplish a great deal.Your approach can be original, but often rigid and stubborn.Sensitivity may be present, but feeling are likely to be

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114824037918086992005-04-30T01:05:00.000Z2005-04-30T01:20:37.920Z

I knew it was too good to be true. Yep. The PRHO office has made yet another blunder. I was called again later yesterday afternoon, and told that they had made a mistake, and that I would not be able to get my first choice after all, even though initially the officer had assured me that it was highly unlikely that the previous mistake would be repeated. Shows how much lip service has been applied

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114764207186401002005-04-29T08:16:00.000Z2005-04-29T08:43:27.186Z

The Spring MorningI woke at 3am this morning. Not because of noises (although I could hear quite a bit of snoring), but because I feel asleep at 9+ last night, after going out for dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday here in Tooting. Barring the noises, it was a serene scene. I caught the sunrise, somewhat, as the sky brighten from a dark red to it's full brightness by about 5am. Birds outside

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114762501833676862005-04-29T08:12:00.000Z2005-04-29T08:16:01.086Z

for those who say that George's students do not have an inkling of anatomy due to our lessons being crap, I prove to you that that notion is absurdly wrong. =pMaster of AnatomyYou scored 34 body points! Congrats! You must have Gray's Anatomy memorized! I bow down to you, my friend. I guess I'm going to have to make the test harder next time.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114599539306520542005-04-27T10:47:00.000Z2005-04-27T10:58:59.306Z

EcstaticWhy? Because I just got called by the PRHO office this morning, and I've been told that I've been taken out of clearing. And the reason for that? When they've gone through the selection lists again, and it seems that me and another candidate have been selected first choice by various consultants (of our first choice), and it was decided that I would get the job, which is my first choice!

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1114349939925029472005-04-24T12:45:00.000Z2005-04-24T13:38:59.930Z

Some of you guys were wondering why my MSN nic was changed. It was because something happened. Or rather, I received bad news. When I least expected it. Tuesday night. I came home early, and was getting ready to start studying, after having dinner. And there, at 8pm, I received a call. Not recognising the number, I was puzzled and picked up my mobile to answer it. Hearing the caller identify

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1113608480486440762005-04-16T17:04:00.000Z2005-04-16T10:06:35.206Z

Let's see how fast this entry can be typed, before I head off to the bank and to the library to do a bit of work before meeting having a 'house' lunch. =):+: Update on the house/noise/mess situation The landlord has been notified last weekend. He came down to do some gardening, and so K and I sat down and had a talk with him about what has been happening in the house, all the problems that have

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1113044798931612442005-04-09T08:45:00.000Z2005-04-09T11:13:37.170Z

Terror Housemate Ok, now for some major bitching session, so be warned. PRIOR to OCTOBER 2004...- a spicky-clean, dry kitchen, stove, microwave, few if no dirty dishes left lying around. - a quiet house, fit for human living. AFTER OCTOBER 2004... SR moved in...1) Kitchen mess Dirty dishes are left unwashed for days on end. Stove is digusting (all the food, muck and filth is left there for months

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1112469538633648362005-04-02T17:45:00.000Z2005-04-02T22:22:02.290Z

Spring is here! What with the daylight-saving and all, the weather is changing, all for the better. The sun is coming out. Birds are chirping (and getting noisy again). Dafodils are starting to spring out in shades of bright yellow. The huge tree outside my window has tiny pretty white flowers blooming on its branches. Initially, the clocks went back on Easter Sunday. I went back down to

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1112377763763898602005-04-01T17:48:00.000Z2005-04-01T17:49:23.766Z

Your Love Style is ErosFor you, love is all about the passion!And chances are, you're currently in love.You have a strong physical response to love...And you are great at committing(As long as the person makes your toes curl!)What's" Your Love Style?Hmm... sounds like me?? =P

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1111833197184998272005-03-26T10:33:00.000Z2005-03-26T10:33:17.183Z

The canoeing girls, 5 years on. Babes, yeah? =p  

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1111419208137447392005-03-21T15:25:00.000Z2005-03-21T15:33:28.143Z

Did I mention that over the past 3 weeks, my patients and even non-patients flirted with me during the ward rounds, after that when I was taking bloods? ...it's not painful when a pretty girl like you is taking my blood.... .. I wouldn't mind coming into hospital if I get to see you everyday...etc... btw, they are elderly gentlemen, sometimes with their wives there when I go to take their blood!

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1111345309783530162005-03-20T18:28:00.000Z2005-03-20T19:01:49.790Z

Haha... being wound up again... JTI, being his usual self, is being flippant. Me: What's the significance of Palm Sunday?JTI: Its when palmpilot users commemorate their victory over PcoketPC. I almost burst out laughing, here in the corner of the hospital computer room in Chichester, but then, people might think I'm mad. JTI's little 'perk-me-up' for the day. A smile. :+: I went to Fareham/

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1111080156174364202005-03-18T17:00:00.000Z2005-03-17T17:34:22.210Z

Easter Week is coming! It's not that I celebrate Easter. I don't. But I'm so excited, simply because I am going to get a break then. Right now, 1 of my house officers have gone on leave, my SHO is on nights, and my Reg is nowhere in sight. A locum has come to take over the missing HO, but on monday, it's just me and the locum and the consultant. Ain't that brillant? And you know what? I can't

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1111078587674097542005-03-17T16:55:00.000Z2005-03-17T16:56:27.680Z

Last week was a very bad week. Started off with 60 patients from Friday's take alone. The team handled it pretty well actually, and I got most, if not all the jobs that needed to be done, done.Over the week, we lost 7 patients, from our usual list of about 25 patients. 2 were expected. 5 were not. They were getting better, in fact. Then towards the end of the week, we just lost them. One by one.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1109875801472003742005-03-03T18:47:00.000Z2005-03-03T18:50:01.480Z

A Reflection of Some SortsI’m back. Somewhat. Landed 5 days ago on Friday afternoon to a extremely cold (it is when there’s a temperature difference of about 30 degrees in a span of 13 hours!), gloomy London. I was mentally prepared to be back, knowing the departure date and all. But I was not looking forward to it. Reality kicks in, when you feel the biting cold and see the grey skies of my home

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1110130289311446622005-03-02T10:00:00.000Z2005-03-06T17:31:29.336Z

From What I recall I'd better write this out before the memory of my short 'break' in Singapore becomes but a distant memory. :+: Birthday Spent a relaxing day at home (after going in to KK for tutorials and stuff), doing housework, driving around and fetching my sis to her driving test and back, and had supper with a couple of relatives. Then headed for a 2nd supper at Chomp Chomp, having a

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1107935026023315832005-02-09T07:37:00.000Z2005-02-09T07:43:46.023Z

I have kind of realised why wanting to be back here for CNY is a novelty, and why when it is actually here, the feeling has waned. Apart from relatives that you don't get to see more than once a year (some maybe more) and trying to make small talk, the only other advantage is the ang pows. Oh yes, and the reunion dinner last night as well. Finally had a sit-down meal with my sister's fiance. And

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1107103612800441312005-01-30T16:41:00.000Z2005-01-30T16:46:52.800Z

Right now, I feel as if it's better if i'm far away from home. Celebrating my birthday with the norm of going to lectures seems to be much better than a noisy family - in a bad sense. And so, I got out of the house = to swim and to shop. And no, you're supposedly not carrying tales. But when you interject what you think that's going through my mind when I look at you, it's just not right, and I

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1106994235547050612005-01-29T10:03:00.000Z2005-01-29T10:23:55.546Z

Birthday weekend Just spent the first day of the weekend running errands, and guess what? Painting the house, or at least the car porch. And that was after washing carpets, in preparation of next week's big cleanup before CNY. Just finished, and I still have more housework to do. You know, it seems as if I do more housework here, than I do back in London! Hmm... what's happening here? On

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1106457005094695662005-01-23T04:37:00.000Z2005-01-23T08:07:31.903Z

Losing weight I just went swimming this morning, and it so happens that at the ticketing machine, there was a weighing machine, so therefore i went to weigh myself, and lo-and-behold, I'm actually on the dot (minus the bag and the sandals). Now, the last time I weighed myself was in November, when I was doing my GP rotation at Caterham (when there wasn't any one looking, I would weigh meself in

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1106001947318214072005-01-21T22:39:00.000Z2005-01-21T08:54:50.773Z

Paediatrics It's been a busy 3 weeks. When I have the time, I will blog it down. But right now, I'm sort of in over my head! Too busy.... I've finished A&E, and started on Paeds. Am paired with a lovely local group, M4s. And they are extremely hardworking! =/ And down here, the docs (esp one female HO) are a bit ' niao' about students wearing white coats. Hmph. More later. btw, application

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1105625348734013322005-01-12T13:27:00.000Z2005-01-21T08:11:24.650Z

My Time in Emergency Medicine It’s been almost three weeks since I’ve started Emergency Med, and this attachment is coming to an end. It’s been…. An eye-opener. The medical system here is different, the medical culture here is also different, so much more efficient, yet the way patients are dealt with is still very paternalistic, compared with UK. … Triage and fast track. Resus. Did a number

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104768257646570182005-01-03T15:39:00.000Z2005-01-06T10:57:11.206Z

It is getting depressing. CPR doesn't seem to work. Then again, maybe it's becoz the patients come in 'collapsed', therefore their prognosis is worse. Doesn't help that my patient who didn't make it today was in his early 60s, which is considerably younger than those who are more likely to come in in that state. On the upside, saw another shoulder dislocation using a different method of ext.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104473083832606762004-12-31T05:04:00.000Z2005-01-21T06:55:17.303Z

Finally the week comes to an end... Wednesday was a depressing day. Did CPR on a patient, but even that with meds and a shock didn't help. She didn't make it (she came in collapsed). Over wednesday was a continuous line of RTAs. And so I witnessed firsthand what goes on, with the setting of plugs, bloods, intubation. We even had to tie down a very confuised and particularly strong Gurkha. Becoz

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104296626070863822004-12-29T04:17:00.000Z2004-12-29T05:03:46.070Z

2nd day at TTSH This time, it was a proper 8-hour shift. It's a Tuesday. It started off with a standby before the shift even started actually, aka, we have to be ready even before the patient is rolled in by the ambulance. And so, the first case of the day was a lady who fell 7 storeys onto her back. Miraculously, apart from a few abrasions on her limbs, she was fine, but complaining of

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104165131100046802004-12-27T16:21:00.000Z2004-12-27T16:32:11.100Z

You know, J... Don't know how, don't know why, our seemingly innocent conversation turned into a revelation of sorts. I didn't realise you thought of some of our conversations as a point-scoring sort of conversation. I never thought of it as such. We are different. Friends supposedly don't score points against each other. Sometimes, perhaps, subconsciously, I act that way when you get

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104161219521321052004-12-27T15:00:00.000Z2004-12-27T16:00:11.930Z

First Day in A&E and TTSH Spent the morning settling admin stuff in NUS (awfully slow, though the person in charge was nice enough to apologize for the waiting bit, and there was nice idle chit-chat), and more admin at TTSH (where I found that there's another student from Sydney also doing the same elective as me, and after that, we're both headed for KK, while I'm doing Paeds, she's doing O&G.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1104074651447759482004-12-26T15:18:00.000Z2004-12-26T15:24:11.446Z

gonna start my elective tmr. TTSH. First stop: NUS. Not allowed to report elsewhere until I get admin sorted out. Second stop, supposedly the hospital. Was just receiving txts from a friend who works at NUH. He says that I'll mostly be doing bloods and IV plugs. bleah. Let's hope some interesting cases come along. Let's also hope my brain has retained whatever knowledge that I 'seemed' to

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1103715726139688492004-12-22T11:33:00.000Z2004-12-22T11:42:06.140Z

I'm at the airport now, flying out again this evening, into another country for a couple of days, before flying back to start my attachment. =p Yesterday, we had quite a successful gathering of george's people, judging from those who came back to singapore (which was surprisingly quite a number for the December period), and we had this asian buffet at Kuali at Suntec. Not too bad food, good

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1103523974236559512004-12-20T06:04:00.000Z2004-12-20T06:26:14.236Z

piano tinkering I've finally tinkered on my beloved piano. a quiet morning, but late. =P Spent it chilling, reading newspapers and playing the piano. After what? 5 years of literally no-touching or seeing the piano. Not good. The ivory keys are turning yellow, and it's not as in tune as it used to be. (My sis and I both use it, but usually i'm the one who maintains it, but after I left, kept

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1103473517917191452004-12-19T15:43:00.000Z2004-12-19T16:25:17.916Z

first week back have been in taiwan for a couple of days this week. Only came back on Friday. On the trip itself, I had a great big culture shock. Had totally forgotten about the well-known Singaporean kiasu-ism - everyone was rushing to be first, be it on the plane or luggages, or seats on the coach or breakfast or seeing products being sold, etc. Quite jia lat lah.... Had to take a couple of

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1103377831929148272004-12-18T13:49:00.000Z2004-12-18T13:50:31.930Z

oh dear me..... I've got a really nice haircut..... and a really very red head. Literally. Oh oh...

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1102467011925315892004-12-08T01:44:00.000Z2005-01-21T06:12:12.470Z

More to come Another late night tonight, yet again. This is the what... 5th night? since Sat? What in the world have I been doing?? And to think, I was sick all this time as well... =P Oh well, got lots of thoughts to jot down, but will do that tomorrow or so. thursday, depending on how much time I have. Haven't even packed yet! Oh well.. Guess taht will have to wait. Lsast day of GP tomorrow.

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1102033027800065042004-12-03T01:14:00.000Z2004-12-03T00:17:07.800Z

In a week... I'll be back. Lierally. For close to 3 months. Stay tuned. Lost my voice today. Could barely whisper. But, as JTI pointed out, my fingers can still move, and so this message. Ain't that anal? =p

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1101943098679046772004-12-01T22:10:00.000Z2004-12-01T23:18:18.680Z

Skirts vs the cold - which one wins? London has reached its coldest yet tonight, of 0 to -1 degree, and it's barely the end of November! I'm half-glad that I'm able to leave this freezing cold weather sometime next week. Then again, I'll miss the weather, however chilly it might be. Guess it takes me 4 years to look forward to cold weather. It was a novelty at first, then that subsequently

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1101858491021603282004-11-30T23:35:00.000Z2004-11-30T23:48:11.026Z

I'm seriously getting old and buggered Tired, so came home, with the intention of completing my audit, but with the finality of plonking down on the bed. The next time I opened my eyes, I'm late for training. Oh darn... During training itself, the wound on my knee split open while sliding to catch a ball, and it was bleeding all over the sports hall. I haven't seen so much blood from a small

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1101748211883649052004-11-29T16:37:00.000Z2004-11-29T17:10:11.883Z

Mumps-vulnerable After the big hooha about the mumps epidemic (I got caught up in it when I was in Cambridge), and that I might have seen a kid with that during GP, I decided to go get a jab. BUT... before that could be given, I was given a lot of flak about having a blood test first. So that was where the job from the dreaded needle came from. Today, I have just received a call from the

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1101336919071786592004-11-24T22:31:00.000Z2004-11-24T23:21:34.410Z

Being poked is not fun Yes, I got 'poked' today, by a needle. No, it's not a needlestick injury. Neither did I get another vaccination (though I might in the next couple of days). My blood got taken. The not-so-good part - my vein was so small that a butterfly had to be used for the vein in the antecubital fossa (erm... tiny brachial vein?). Even then, she didn't even get it on the first attempt

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1101260919107832462004-11-24T01:02:00.000Z2004-11-24T13:28:39.770Z

Enroute to Cambridge, and beyond... Yup, this weekend was reserved for Cambridge, and I've only got down to writing it out. It was a very nice, pleasant weekend, to say the least. Seen people whom I haven't seen for ages, met lots of new people, and even met someone whom I played beach vball with last summer (and I can't believe he even remembered me! =-P) Let's start off with the morning,

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1100738000375615832004-11-18T01:21:00.000Z2004-11-18T00:33:20.376Z

Tuesday was a day of falls Tuesdays was a bad day. It was, literally, a day of falls. It warrants another post, definitely, at how unlucky/clumsy/silly it was, indeed. But more about that later on. On another note, JTI has found out about my blog. All because of me. Yes, silly me, yet again. When I left my computer unattended (he was sitting next to me in the bar today), you don't really

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1100558663671271482004-11-15T22:00:00.000Z2004-11-15T23:20:12.213Z

A hands-on day I think today warrants a special entry. For one, I woke up late again. Don't know why, I didn't hear my alarm clock, even though there was a snooze for that, and my phone alarm was switched on as well. Either the batteries have died (can't be, coz I can still tell the time with both of them), or I was too dog-tired from the night before (was doing the preparatory work for my

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1099965172289829582004-11-14T01:45:00.000Z2004-11-18T00:20:28.880Z

Commuting out of London ... is a real hassle. I can says lots about it, but now is 2am and i'm really tired - been checking out the train times and the 'wonders' of taking a combination of tube and rail during peak hours but not having a combination ticket. And yes, it costs a bomb. Fantastic, isn't it? More later on, together with Stan's birthday and the Jerry Springer Show! ***** I'm

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5371065.post-1099320980792321622004-11-01T13:39:00.000Z2004-11-01T14:56:20.793Z

The week with daylight savings After an exciting weekend past, this week is slightly more relaxing, in that I went out almost every day of the week, but for the weekend, I only went out for 1 day. =P Like a difference it makes, no? I went in every day for Anaesthetics, apart from the last day. Down here, it's considered extremely hardworking. And for that, I got 'rewarded' with putting in

Zenanoreply@blogger.com0